ABOUT THIS ALBUM

Album Notes

There are those rare and unique experiences in our lives when we are fortunate enough to witness a talent so undeniable the inspiration will never let us forget it. Dahlak Brathwaite embodies one of those unforgettable moments. With an intense and remarkable presence in the arenas of poetry, hip-hop, and theater, Dahlak moves his audience to remember his name. When Dahlak’s performance at the filming for the fifth season of HBO'S Def Poetry Jam in 2005 was followed by three standing ovations, it was apparent that the world of spoken word had just discovered a new force to be reckoned with. Seasoned with two Bay Area poetry slam championships and national slam championship, Dahlak proves that his name carries the impact to leave an imprint in history. His witty punchlines and heartfelt social commentary have awed crowds of all platforms, his presence unmistakably passionate and breathtaking whether on the mic or on the stage.

Dahlak is a member of internationally acclaimed spoken word collective, iLL-Literacy, and has shared the stage with such artists as Lauryn Hill, Mos Def, Talib Kweli, Common, Last Poets, KRS-One, Afrika Bambataa, and Saul Williams. In 2006, he received a second invitation to perform for the 6th Season of Def Poetry Jam, reminding us once again of the extraordinary power and charisma that makes him one of the most memorable artists of his generation.

A multi-disciplinary artist armed with a triple threat, Dahlak not only captivates listeners in the poetry scene, but also extends his talents as an actor and emcee in the realms of theater and hip-hop. While performing with iLL-Literacy, he also tours internationally with renowned Broadway veteran Marc Bamuthi Joseph as a cast member of the Scourge theater company. This year, Dahlak will have hit cities in Belgium, Netherlands, and South Africa, presenting his unquestionable stage magnetism to audiences worldwide. Dahlak’s debut solo album, Dual Consciousness, is rapidly catching fire, instantly gaining momentum as one of the most anticipated albums in the independent music scene. Only a week after its launch on global music forum MP3.com, Dahlak’s album skyrocketed to number two on the charts, proving once again his undeniably recognizable talent.

It is truly an exceptional experience when we are able to watch a phenomenon grow and rise into a legacy. Dahlak Brathwaite is a legacy in the making, a name we will all recognize and remember, his influence and inspiration both striking and long lasting. Watch him world, this is only the beginning.

this album is hands down phenomenal! i saw dahlak on def poetry and had to figure out what this cat was all about, so i bought his album and fell in love with it! the entire album connected with me as if i wrote it myself. it left me thinking and wondering about a lot of things. this album is by far one of the best albums i have ever heard! also one of the best purchases i have ever made. if real hip hop is what you're looking for, than Dual Consciousness is what you need!

If consciousness is what you seek, you shall find a double dose here. Dahlak Brathwaite may be familiar to fans of Def Comedy Jam, as he has appeared on the show a number of times and has participated in many poetry slams in the last few years. There was a time when "rhythmic American poetry" meant more than a D.O.C. lyric, and for Dahlak it's about combining the written word with a style that demands the attention of the listener. With hip-hop as a major influence, hearing his songs shows someone who is a showman and a professional. In a time when poetry in rap music is Old McDonald E-I-E-I-O, Dahlak wants to let people know that being poetic is what makes the best MC's geniuses in their field, blurring the thin line that exists. This is why he calls his album Dual Consciousness (Ill-Literacy).

When it comes to enticing the dip of the hips, Dahlak is more than capable of doing that in "DRI". If he's going to entice, he's not going to take any cheap shots:

Well, I'm on 1, actually I'm on 2
3 if you count me being on you
And being on 3 got you on all fours
Feel like you on E, screamin' on call
Sorry I'm all forward, I mean what I said
I'm only saying what I usually think in my head
And yes, I know I'm politically incorrect
But if the game's strong, they conveniently forget
If you feelin' right, you feelin' the light
No chase gets the straight tequila tonight
If I pour the drinks, call it Morgan Freeman
The more gone, the more you feel free, man
The liquor tell the truth, girl, the weed ain't lyin'
That's why you feel wet and dry at the same time
But if you ain't sure, take a sip, take a hit
And maybe that'll help make up your mind

On one end he wants to liquor up a lady for a night of good love, but in "Get Off Of Me": we realize that perhaps he was trying to display the foolishness that happens in the club. Naturally, this leads into "The Club", where the bubble is popped on the myths and half-truths created by the Ying Yang Twins (they are called out) and every other rapper who claims women will drop the panties just because you're famous. Take a step back, and it's obvious that Dahlak has a plan and a mission not only to tell stories on a song by song basis, but in a manner similar to reading a book or having to hear the complete album. There are a few concepts and themes going on, and experiencing them for the first time let's the listener know that there's a much bigger picture involved. It's for people who love tight rhymes and well written lyrics, add to that some solid production from Ben Rosen, Authentik, I-5, and O. Jackson (not the O. Jackson from Quasi land) and you have a recording that is solid from start to finish. I don't want to bring up a Snickers analogy, but since I can't stop at this point, the music satisfies throughout the duration of the album, leaving you wanting to hear it again. He'll be requesting a new high fee, if you know what I mean. Rhythmic Artistic Poetry? Hell yeah.